by Roy Taylor, Daily Vidette Reporter

The State of Illinois has awarded a total of $3.55 million in grants under a donated federal funds initiative program.

Dean Schott, spokesman for Gov. Jim Edgar, said “this is a way for state government to use their limited resources to attain additional local funding.”

The state contributes 75 percent of the funds for approved programs, and the local agency acquires the other 25 percent, Shott said.

Programs supported by the DFI include the Big Borther/Big Sister program of Sangamon County, Chicago Urban League, Teen Living Program, and YMCA of metropolitan Chicago, he said.

The DFI is administered through the Illinois Department of Public Aid.

While the department of public aid may be perceived as only supporting persons on welfare, an ISU professor said it also provides other social services.

Gary Klass, political science professor and public policy specialist at ISU, said the department provides general services and “other programs such as the work-fare program, which helps welfare recipients find jobs.”